We are a group of veterans dedicated to preserving the memory of the Cold War. Asking for recognition for the "Cold Warriors", so long forgotten. We are also reaching out to all our brother and sister veterans. We are asking Congress to authorize a Cold War Victory Medal to all who served honorably during the Cold War, from 1945 to 1991

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Is the Obama Healthcare good for veterans?

Things are not quite fixed yet. The Obama Healthcare might still tax veterans using VA Healthcare from The Hill.

A leading veterans group said on Monday its concerns that healthcare reform would jeopardize the care of millions of veterans have been partly alleviated.

But one sticking point remains: ensuring that veterans who are participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system would not be subject to a tax for uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Until that issue is fixed “our concerns are not fully resolved,” said Raymond Dempsey, the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). DAV was among six high-profile veterans groups that sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week expressing “grave concerns” over the House healthcare reform bill and warning that they would actively oppose it if several changes were not made.

Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), the ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, successfully offered several amendments that took care of most concerns: ensuring that veterans receiving VA healthcare could also enroll for additional health insurance and that the VA secretary would retain full authority to operate the VA healthcare system without interference from any new organizations or agencies established by the legislation.

Buyer also offered an amendment aimed at ensuring that veterans in the VA healthcare system would not be subject to a tax for uninsured or underinsured individuals. While the amendment was withdrawn, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said that he would allow Buyer to offer the amendment when the bill is considered on the House floor later this year.

Buyer’s “amendments and bipartisan support from Chairman Waxman are big steps in the right direction,” Dempsey said in a statement. “The DAV will continue to do more analysis of this voluminous bill, not to mention future versions, before we can have true assurance that veterans are protected.

“But for now, we are pleased lawmakers are willing to make the fixes necessary to protect those who sacrificed to protect us.”

Asbestos and the U.S. Navy Cancer risk

Cold War-era Veterans may potentially develop mesothelioma due to the use and presence of asbestos in military applications. Navy vessels posed a high risk prior to the 1970s while military facilities utilized throughout that period also contained high quantities of the mineral. Cold War veterans with mesothelioma symptoms should seek professional medical help to obtain a diagnosis and seek treatment for mesothelioma as soon as possible.